After a season away from Europe, Arsenal are back playing continental football, with their first opponents in UEFA Europa League being Swiss giants FC Zurich this Thursday.
Having being crowned champions of the Swiss Super League last season, Zurich qualified for the UEFA Champions League qualifying round but were immediately eliminated from the process by Qarabag, with Franco Foda’s side managing to redeem themselves by qualifying for the Europa League and being drawn against Arsenal.
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This will be the first time the Gunners will face the Swiss side in any footballing competition, and Mikel Arteta’s side will be confident of starting their Europa League campaign with three points against Zurich, who currently sit joint-bottom of their division with zero wins. However, despite this form, this will be no easy trip for the north London side.
With that said, here are five players Arsenal should be wary of as they travel to Switzerland this week to kick off their European adventure, with Zurich no doubt a good test for the north London side as they look to win the Europa League this season.
Becir Omeragic
A reported target for Premier League rivals West Ham, Becir Omeragic is a player who has attracted a lot of attention in the past two seasons as the FC Zurich centre-back established himself as a key member for the Swiss champions last campaign as well as a breakout star for the Switzerland national team.
With a reported value of €10m (£8m), Zurich are keen to keep hold of their prized defender for as long as possible, and Arsenal will have to be sharp in the attack if they’re to break past Omeragic, who is now back to his best after starting the season with a knee injury.
Cheick Conde
One of FC Zurich’s newest players this summer, Guniea international Cheick Conde made the move to Letzigrund from Czech side Trinity Zlin, and the 22-year-old midfielder has already established himself as a regular for Foda’s side, with the youngster already making 13 appearances in all competitions.
Able to play across the centre of midfielder as well as in defence, Conde could cause Arsenal’s forwards plenty of problems should Zurich decide to sit back in their Europa League opener, and the youngster will be in for a big challenge should Arteta opt for a strong starting XI in Switzerland.
Adrian Guerrero
Developed in FC Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy before leaving to find his own path in football, Adrian Guerrero joined FC Zurich from Valencia last summer and has since become one of the Swiss Super League’s best wide players, with the versatile last season alone bagging four goals and 12 assists in all competitions.
With a goal and assist already in Europa League qualifying, Guerrero could cause some big problems for the likes of Cedric Soares and Takehiro Tomiyasu should the former Catalan wonderkid get the start of Thursday, and Arsenal could be in for a rough contest with the 24-year-old on the pitch.
Antonio Marchesano
One of FC Zurich’s oldest players in their squad but a name who could cause Arsenal problems this week, Antonio Marchesano has been part of the Swiss giants since 2016, and the attacking midfielder played a big role in getting his side into the Europa League in the first place.
The 31-year-old bagged two assists in qualifying to help Zurich book their place in the Europa League group stages, and the midfielder’s experience and passing ability could cause Arsenal problems in what will likely be Marchesano’s biggest match yet in his career.
Aiyegun Tosin
Goals have been a major problem for FC Zurich this season as last season’s Swiss Champions currently sit bottom of the Swiss Super League, yet if there’s one player who could get them going against Arsenal, it will be Benin international Aiyegun Tosin.
The 24-year-old has already bagged five goals in all competitions this season, and whilst form has been hard to come by for Tosin and Zurich as a whole, the striker is the hosts’ best shot of causing an upset against Arsenal, who will be keen to secure a big win out in Switzerland this week.
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